Zarif: Iran welcomes Iraq’s pivotal role in region

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who is on an official visit to Iraq, said Tehran welcomes its neighbour’s “pivotal” role in the West Asia region.

According to reports, in a post on his official Twitter account on Tuesday, Zarif said he held “excellent” talks with top Iraqi officials and senior Shia and Sunni Muslim leaders.

The FM said he once again stressed that the Islamic Republic gives priority to its neighbors in its foreign policy.

Zarif visit of strategic importance: Top Iraqi security official

Iraqi National Security Council (INSC) Advisor Qasim al-Araji said on Tuesday that the visit by the Iranian foreign minister to Baghdad was of high strategic significance.

In a meeting with Zarif, the top Iraqi security official added that Iran plays a key, influential and positive role in maintaining security in the region and hailed Tehran’s efforts to fight the Daesh terrorist group with the purpose of ensuring regional stability and helping the neighboring states.

Zarif and Araji discussed important military and security issues of Iraq and the entire region.

Iraq seeks highest level of ties with all countries: Hakim

Head of the Hikma National Movement Ammar al-Hakim said that Iraq pursues a policy of improving relations with regional and global countries and seeks the highest level of ties in line with its national interests and territorial integrity.

In a meeting with the FM, Hakim stressed the importance of maintaining peace in the region and solving crises through negotiations, urging all countries to patch up differences via real talks.

Zarif and Hakim exchanged views about Tehran-Baghdad ties and leading regional and trans-regional developments.

The FM is on a tour of two regional states which has also taken him to Qatar.

SS